Relief valve

Abstract

A relief valve has a yoke that includes a generally cylindrical body having a first end to engage a body of the relief valve and a second end to receive a guide bushing. A plurality of openings are formed in the body of the yoke to allow fluid flow through the yoke and define a plurality of legs extending between the first end and the second end that are diametrically opposite one of the plurality of openings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A yoke for a relief valve, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body having a first end configured to engage a body of the relief valve and a second end configured to receive a guide bushing; and   a plurality of openings formed in the body of the yoke to allow fluid flow through the yoke and defining a plurality of legs extending between the first end and the second end; wherein   each of the plurality of legs is diametrically opposite one of the plurality of openings.   
     
     
         2 . The yoke of  claim 1 , wherein the yoke comprises three openings defining three legs. 
     
     
         3 . The yoke of  claim 2 , wherein each leg is radially spaced approximately 60° from each adjacent leg. 
     
     
         4 . The yoke of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of legs has a circumferential width that is approximately one-sixth of a circumference of the yoke. 
     
     
         5 . The yoke of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of openings has a circumferential width that is equal to approximately one-sixth of the circumference of the yoke. 
     
     
         6 . The yoke of  claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of legs is radially spaced approximately 60° from each adjacent leg. 
     
     
         7 . The yoke of  claim 1 , wherein a circumferential width of each of the plurality of legs is equal to a circumferential width of each of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         8 . The yoke of  claim 7 , wherein a first edge of each of the plurality of legs is diametrically aligned with a first edge of the opposite opening and a second edge of each of the plurality of legs is diametrically aligned with a second edge of the opposite opening. 
     
     
         9 . A relief valve, comprising:
 a body having a passageway therethrough and defining a seating surface;   a sealing assembly positioned within with passageway;   a stem having a first end and a second end, the first end of the stem attached to the sealing assembly to move the sealing assembly into and out of engagement with the seating surface and the second end of the stem secured to a spring seat;   a yoke secured to the body; and   a spring disposed between the yoke and the spring seat to bias the sealing assembly towards the seating surface; wherein the yoke comprises:
 a generally cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, the first end of the body of the yoke secured to the body of the relief valve; and 
 a plurality of openings formed in the body of the yoke to allow fluid flow through the yoke and defining a plurality of legs extending between the first end and the second end; wherein 
 each of the plurality of legs is diametrically opposite one of the plurality of openings. 
   
     
     
         10 . The relief valve of  claim 9 , further comprising a guide bushing secured to the second end of the body of the yoke. 
     
     
         11 . The relief valve of  claim 10 , wherein the spring is disposed between the spring seat and the guide bushing. 
     
     
         12 . The relief valve of  claim 9 , wherein the yoke comprises three openings defining three legs. 
     
     
         13 . The relief valve of  claim 12 , wherein each leg is radially spaced approximately 60° from each adjacent leg. 
     
     
         14 . The relief valve of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of legs has a circumferential width that is approximately one-sixth of a circumference of the yoke. 
     
     
         15 . The relief valve of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of openings has a circumferential width that is equal to approximately one-sixth of the circumference of the yoke. 
     
     
         16 . The relief valve of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of legs is radially spaced approximately 60° from each adjacent leg. 
     
     
         17 . The relief valve of  claim 9 , wherein a circumferential width of each of the plurality of legs is equal to a circumferential width of each of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
         18 . The relief valve of  claim 17 , wherein a first edge of each of the plurality of legs is diametrically aligned with a first edge of the opposite opening and a second edge of each of the plurality of legs is diametrically aligned with a second edge of the opposite opening. 
     
     
         19 . The relief valve of  claim 9 , wherein the first end of the stem is threaded and the sealing assembly is adjustably attached to the first end of the stem with a nut. 
     
     
         20 . The relief valve of  claim 9 , wherein the second end of the stem is threaded and the spring seat is adjustably secured to the second end of the stem with a nut.